Injury blow for PNE skipper

Adam Lord

Preston North End were left fearing the worst after captain Tom Clarke limped out of the defeat to former club Huddersfield Town on Good Friday.

The Lilywhites skipper went down innocuously enough just 16 minutes into the piece but was forced to hobble off to warm applause at the John Smith’s Stadium. Boss Simon Grayson revealed post-match that the problem was the defender’s Achilles tendon and that he could be ruled out for some time.

“It doesn’t look too good at the moment,” he said.

“It’s not 100 per cent clear but it looks like he’s done some serious damage to his Achilles tendon. It’s obviously going to rule him out for the rest of the season and maybe longer.

“We’ll know more in the next 24-48 hours but it doesn’t look too good unfortunately. He’s been exceptional for us this season as our captain.

“To suffer the injury is a big blow for him and the team.”

Despite the loss of their talisman, North End went in front through an Aiden McGeady stunner shortly after.

Huddersfield turned the game on its head though with Elias Kachunga profiting from a Chris Maxwell error shortly before half-time and Jack Payne putting the Terriers in front 20 minutes from time.

Jordan Hugill then headed home an equaliser on 79 minutes but the biggest drama of the afternoon was still to come.

Kachunga went down under challenge from Hugill off the ball deep into stoppage time with referee Lee Probert pointing to the spot.

Maxwell saved Aaron Mooy’s penalty, only for Colin Quaner to fire home the rebound in the 96th minute and leave Grayson fuming.

“I don’t know how the referee can give it when he’s got Kachunga in front of him with Jordan behind him,” he said.